Agitator.



' A. E. VAN-DERCOOK.

' 'Asnmom APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26. 1914.

,Patented 00h 19, 1915.

" INVENTOR.

"WITNESSES ,c1/BERT 5.' vH/vaE/cooa 1- BY M www:

' ATTORNEYS.

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En sfrnfrizs PATENT oFFicE. y

ALBERT E. VANDERCOOK, 0F ALAMEDAyChALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY-MESNEASSIGSN- MENTS, T0 CALIFORNIA MACVAN CO., 0F VSANv FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA, ACORPO- RAMON or CALIFORNIA,

AGITATOR.

Original application led November .13, v1913, Serial No. 800,721.Divided and this application led March 26, 1914. y Serial No. 827,472.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be 1t known that I, ALBERT Coon, a cltizen of the United States, and,a

'resident of Alameda, county of Alameda, 'and State of California, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Agitatois, of which thefollowing isfa specificaliquid, fluid slimes or pulp discharging withinthe mass to be agitated@ One object of the invention is to provide apractical and efficient agitator of this type.

Another object of the invention is to prov vide an agitator of this typewhich is operable in connection with thick slimes and.

pulps.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitator of this typeinwhich the rotating element and its support are ar ranged out ofcontact with the bottom of the containing vessel. v

A further objectv of the invention is 'to provide an agitator of thistype iii which a higher discharge pressureof'the jets is obtainable thanhas heretofore been practical. i

The invention possesses other advantageous features, which,` with theforegoing, will be setforth at length in the following descriptionwhereI shall oitline in full that ing and forming part of the presentgspeciliclaims. l I

Referring to saiddrawings: Figure l is a' vertical section of a tank'showing 'the agication.. `The novelty of the invention will be includedin the claims succeeding said description. From 'this it will vbeapparent' that I dov not limit myself tothe showing made by-saiddrawings and description, as

I may adopt many variations Within the *scope of 'my invention as setforth in said tator. of.' my invention arranged therein.

Fig. 2-is an elevation, partly in section, of

the bearing arrangedbetween the stationary and rotatable parts'bff/theagitator.l 4 p I A A E. VANDER- v The agitator of my invention isparticularly adapted for usein metallurgical operations for agitating ormixingpulps or slimes or for mixing solutions with'pulps or Patentedoet.19,1915. i

slimes. The agitator is rotated by the reaction of iets of liquid,`slimes or pulp,

which are discharged t\e fefroin, and such liquid, slimes or pulp, maybe withdrawn from` the mass or body being agitated or mixed or may bedrawn from an independent source.

A great many manufacturing, metallurgical, chemical and -other processesare now carried or yassisted by the, use of an electric current,- andlin such processes Where the electric current is applied or passedthrough a liquid or semi-solid, a rotating element is employed foi"various purposes. and this element usually forms oneelectrode or4terminal of the electric' circuit and a plate ar .eralllelied uponJ toinsulate this stationary portion, which, of course, is .in directcontact with the rotating portion, from the plate or electrode arrangedin the bottomof the vessel. This method of insulating the twoelectrodeshas beenvery unsatisfactory and has presented many difficulties; In'accordance with my invention, Ispace the entire'bea'ring from thebottom plate or velectrgde, so that there is no liabilitypf shortcircuiting the current, `which must .pass through the liquid. It is tobe understood', however, that the-agitator of my'invention is notlimited to use'in connection'with an electric current and that-the.foregoing statement in regard to its use in connection with an electriccurrent simply states one of its advantages.

.submerged-'rotating structures Which are rotated by the reaction ofjets of liquid and;

which are. provided with liquid sealed'bearings are usually'of the.underfeed type, that `is, the liquid which is introduced into'. the

rotating structure is introduced 'from below,

through the bottom of the vessel, and this upwardly .flowing stream ofliquid exerts an upward pressure on the rotatable part of the bearingwhich'tends to and often does raise and unseat the rotatable structureto a suiiicient degree 'at least to allow the liquid to gain access tothe bearings. These liquids A further advantageous feature of the'agitator of my invention is that therotatable element and'bea'ring maylie removed as a whole from the vessel without allowing or causing theseparation or falling apart of the various parts of the bearing, afeature which is of substantial importance. i

In accordance with ,my invention, -I suspend a pipe or lconductor 2centrally in the vessel 3 by means of a spider l or other suitablestructure. This pipe 2 is held firmly against revolution and terminatesabove thebottom of the vessel. Secured to the lower endof the dependingpipe 2 is a cylindrical element 5 which is provided on its-lower endwith an outwardly extending flange G..r Secured td the flange 6 orformed integral therewith, and spaced from'the element 5, and preferablyarranged parallel therewith, is an upwardlyfextending wall or ring 7, atthe upper end of which is arranged the lower bearing race 8. This racemay seat on the wall 7 so that it may be removed for the purposes ofrepair orl replacement, or may be formed integral with the wall 7. The,anti-friction element of the bearing may consistof a plurality of balls9, or rollers or any other. suitable construction or arrangement.

The upper bearing race l2'ma-y be formed l separately and attached tothegland 13 or may be formed integral tlerewith. The gland 13 which formsthe 'rotatable part of the bearing consists of a cylindrical struc-`ture, having substantially vertical" walls 14C- 15 which are spacedapart from veach other, forming therebetween a closed /top pocket inwhich is disposedjat the-upper "portion, the balls 9 and ball races 8and 12.

The depending wall 15 extends downward adjacent and spacedfrom the'wall5 and4 terminates adjacent the flange 6. When the bearing is submerged,air is entra-pped in the pockety formed between the walls 14 and 15,thereby preventingthe liquid from com.- ing in Contact with the ballsor. races. Formed at the lower end of the gland are conductors 17 oftherotating structure are screwed. These pipes 17` are provided with one ormore nozzles or outlets 18 which are afranged at an angle to the pipes,so that the 'reaction of the liquid discharging therefrom causes'thestructure to rotate, and these nozzles are preferably flattened at theirdischarge end to cause the liquid, slime or pulp, tov discharge vin flatstreams. The nozzles 18 are preferably downwardly inclined so that thedischarging streams sweep the bottom of the vessel or are directedtoward the bottom of the vessel. The bottom of the gland is closed bythe plate 19 whichis preferably formed with an elevated conical center21, which directs the liquid smoothly to thepipes or hollow arms 17. Theplate 19 spaced apart from the bottom of the tank o1' the electrodethereon, so that when an electric current is employed, the current mustpass through the liquid. lVhen it is desirable to agitate the entireliquid in order to prevent precipitation, I Iusually` form passages 22in the plate 19 through which liquid is discharged for the purpose ofagitating the liquid directly under the plate.

aol

tween the outer edge of flange 6 and the wall 14, and while thisclearance is made as small as practical the area of the annular opening`thus formed is material and under the pressure of the liquid introducedthrough pipe 2, a large quantity of the liquid passes through thisopening. In order'to dispose of this leakage liquid without allowing itto come in Contact with the bearings, I .provide one or. more apertures23 through kthe wall 7 preferably at the bottom, through which theleakage liquid passes. r1 his leakage liquid lthen passes' upwardthrough the annular passage 24 between the walls 5 and 15. Covering theupper or discharge end of this 'passage is a cap 2 5,l which slopesdown? wardly, conformingto the slope of the upper surface of the gland13. This cap is .secured to the wall 5 in any suitable manner and isspaced apart slightly from, the upper surface of the gland, to permitthe escape of the leakage liquid. This cap not only -acts to`divert theleakage liquid downward, (a feature which yis essential in some 120processes) but it retards `the low of the leakage` liquid, and thereby4greatly reduces the amount of the leakage. i The comparatively long,narrow passage between the cap and the gland produces a frictionalresistance to the passage of the liquid, without materially increasingthe .friction between the station` ary and revolving parts ofVthebearing. In I some instances, where the liquid in the tank is verythick,thereforequiring a great tapped bossesl into which the pipes. orpressure to rotate therotating element, I,

havefound that withthe. cap omitted, the

y amount of leakage is so great that the rotating element would notturn, but byl placing the cap and reducing vvtheleakage, that.

the rotatable element would turn.l Since the li'quid in the vessel isoften opaque, 1t 1sl not possible to' observe the rotating element tov4determine its speed, orv whetherit is rotating at all. In' order thatthese 'conditions may be noted, I form a boss 26 on the gland 13 towhich I attach the vertically extending indi- 4 catin'g rod 27, whichprojects above the level l leakage liquid passes through holes 23 and Irow passages between the walls'illi and 15.

of the liqu/id and indicates the motion of the rotating element.

In operation, liquidI flowed down through the pipe 2 and out through thearmsI 17, causing the structure 'to rotate, and the up through passage 24 and is discharged through the passage between the cap 25 and gland 135The liquid 'risesjin thefpocket.' between the walls 14 and 15 until thepres sure 'of the entrapped air is equal to the pressure of the liquidand the pocket is vmadecf 'such height that the level ofthe liquidtherein does not reach the bearings. In order toA prevent any sloshingor surging and the wall 7, through which the liquid cannot splash. Theliquid which Hows downwardly in the conductor 2 may flow theretofbygravity or -mayfbe driven thereto by a pump.4 In the construction shownin the draw-ings,l theliquid slimes orpulp are withdrawn from the Vtank3 adjacent its" 11pper portion through Uthe pipe L31 which is vconnectedto the suction side4 of the pump '32,'v whence it is forced, through thepipe 33 .into the, depending conductor 2. .The liquid,

slimes or pillppass from the conductor 2 A into the hollow`ar1nedStructure which is -rotatably Amounted on thelower end thereof when theydischarge from thelnozzles 18.

While I have specifically described herein the bearing uponwhich Iprefer to mount the rotating portion ofthe agitator of my invention,it-.is to be understoodfthatfthe present invention is lnot limited tothe specific bearing which is claimed. in my prior application, SerialNumber 800,7 21, of

which this application is la. division.

a thorough agitation or mixing of theliquid,

' f slimes'or pulp, may be obtained practically regardlessof thethickness thereof, either by recirculating the liquid, pulp forfslimes,or 'by introducing liquid, pulp "or, `slimes, from an independentsource. .On account- -of 'the construction of theagitator, the `ro.tating arms may be driven at a. compara/- A I cla-im:

.- aconductor depe ing extendinggbelow the norm l -level of the tivelyhigh velocity and the reaction producedby the discharging streams or-jets is suflicient to produce rotation of the rotating element in verythick `slimes or pulps. t

' 1. In an apparatus of the character described, a vessel, a' stationaryconductor depending into said vessel, and a. hollow armed structureArotatably mounted oli-said conductor.- 1

2. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, a vessel, a stationaryconductor depending into said vessel, anda hollow armed structure"adapted to bev rotated by the reaction of liquid discharging therefromrotatably supported on the lower .end of said 3I-n an apparatus of thecharacter described, a vessel, a stationary conductor depending intosaid vessel through which liquid passes downwardly, a hollow armedstructure adapted to be rotated by the dis-A charge of liquidvtherefromlarranged -at the lower end of said conductor and arranged to receiveliquid therefrom, :and an fantifriction bearing arranged between saidAcon-' ductor androtatable structure.

4. The combination with a vessel adapted to contain. a liquid, of astationary element depending into said vessel and extending below thenormal surface of the liquid therein, a.. rotatable element mounted onsaid stationary element below the/surfacey of the -liqu-id and spacedfrom the bottom of said vessel, and a liquid sealed bearing arrangedbetween said elements.

ing conductor through which liquid passes downwardly, extending belowthe surface of said liquid, a rotatable structure adapted f to berotated by the reaction of the liquid passing therethrough from saidconductor, mounted' on said conductor below the surfaceof the liquid inthe vessel'and spaced t from the bottom of said vessel, and a liqiidsealed bearing arranged between said structure and conductor. l

y 6; The combination with a vessel adapted to contain a liquid, of ahollow-rotatable Istructure adapted to be rotated by the reaction of theliquid passing therethrough, arranged 1n said vessellbelow the normalysurface ofthe liquid therein and above and vspacedfrom the bottom ofsaid vessel', a' conductor. on' which saidi'structureis mount- By theuse of the agitator of my invention edfand throughgfwhich liquid isconducted -.to'said`structuref'dependiiig; into said ves- 7.- In anapparatus-of the character described, a .vessell adapted' to con-tainliquid,

liquid theeii1, 'and a. hollow armedstructure T@said vessel androtatablynmounted onV said conductor and disposed below the normal levelofthe liquid. v

i S. In an apparatus of the character del. scribed, a vessel, astationary conductor depending into said vessel, a rotatable structuremounted on the lower end of said conductor adapted to be rotated by thereaction of liquid discharging therefrom, and an upwardly extendingindicator rod' attached to said structure.

9. In an 'apparatus of the character described, a vessel, a stationaryconductor 'de' pending into said vessel, a hollow armed structurerotatably mounted on the lower end of said conductor and incommunication therewith, a plurality of downwardly linclined nozzles onsaid structure, and an anti-frlction bearing between sald conductora-ndstructure.

l0. In an apparatus ofthe character described, a'vessel, a stationaryconductor dedepending into said vessel, a structure adapted to berotate/d by the discharge of F liquid therefrom arranged to receive suchliquid from said conductor and a liquid tight anti-friction bearingarranged .between said conductor and structure.

r l2. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, avessel, a stationaryconductor described, a vessel, a stationary conductor de' pending intosaid vessel through 'which liquid passes downwardly, a hollow armedstructure adapted to be rotated by the discharge of liquid therefrommounted on said conductor at the lower end thereof, and an anti-frictionbearing' forsaid structure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco,California, this 21stday of March, 1914.

ALBERT E. VANDERCOOK.

In presence of- II. G.: PRosT,

E. W. KAY.

